asianweekly northwest
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SEPTEMBER 5 – SEPTEMBER 11, 2015
■ COMMUNITY news Helping historically hidden communities State of undocumented APIs three years after DACA
By Marissa Vichayapai Special to Northwest Asian Weekly Three years after the start of Deferred Action for Child Arrivals (DACA), a federal program which provides certain undocumented immigrants protection from deportation, a social security number, a work permit, and other benefits, enrollment of eligible Asians and Pacific Islanders continue to be disproportionally low, while gaps in services and knowledge remain high. After the release of data from the Migration Policy Institute in 2014 indicating a need among the undocumented API community, there has been a considerable amount of resources allocated to addressing this issue on the national level. States with a high population of undocumented APIs, such as California and New York, have quickly mobilized by
Northwest Asian Weekly Summer Youth Leadership Program learn about DACA benefits
increasing services and outreach efforts to the undocumented API community. From these efforts, the United States’ Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), has
seen an increase of enrollment from APIs, particularly from South Korea, Philippines, India, and Pakistan. Since 2014, applicants from Korea, Philippines,
■ COMMUNITY calendar
THU 9/10
a.m.-5 p.m. COST: $12-$35 WHAT: 6th Annual Candidates Meet-n- INFO: 253-272-4258, tacomaartmuseum.org Greet with Ethnic Media WHERE: Hing Hay Co-works, 409B SUN 9/13 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle REGISTER: Register by September 1, WHAT: An appreciation event to Julie@nvnorthwest.com recognize Al Sugiyama WHERE: Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church, 3001 24th Ave. S., FRI 9/11 Seattle WHAT: “Bellevue vs. Seattle: Advantages WHEN: 3-5:30 p.m. NOTE: No gifts please! and Disadvantages for Businesses” SPEAKERS: Conrad Lee, Jon Bridge, RSVP: thankyoual@aol.com, 206-3269042 Hyeok Kim WHERE: New Hong Kong Restaurant, WHAT: Live Aloha Hawaiian Cultural 900 S. Jackson St. #203, Seattle Festival WHEN: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. WHERE: Seattle Center Armory, Seattle COST: $20 WHEN: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. INFO: seattlechinesechamber.org INFO: www.maunalua.com
SAT 9/12 WHAT: Seattle’s Night Market & Autumn Moon Festival WHERE: Union Station Plaza & 5th AVE South WHEN: 6 p.m .- midnight NOTE: Food trucks will offer $5 Asian themed menu/food item.
SAT 9/12 - SUN 9/13
FRI 9/18 WHAT: 30th Anniversary Gala WHERE: The Westin Seattle WHEN: 5:30 p.m. COST: $100/person, $1,000/table RSVP: events@rewa.org, 206-721-8448 INFO: www.rewa.org
WHAT: Women of Color Empowered Luncheon, “Women and Money” WHERE: China Harbor Restaurant WHAT: 18th Annual Aki Matsuri WHERE: Bellevue College Main Campus 2040 Westlake AVE N., Seattle WHEN: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 3000 Landerholm Circle SE TICKETS: 206-223-0623, Bellevue, WA 98007 rsvp@nwasianweekly.com WHEN: Saturday, 9/12 (10 a.m. - 6 p.m.) Sunday, 9/13 (10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) I N F O : h t t p: // w w w. e n m a .o r g / 2 015/ SAT 9/19 overview.html WHAT: Korean BBQ Cook-off WHERE: Seward Park, 5895 Lake Washington Blvd., Seattle THRU THU 9/13 WHEN: 4-7 p.m. REQUEST A FORM: WHAT: Pop Art that Packs a Punch: Artist Roger Shimomura Sheds Light on bbq@kacwashington.org COST: $15/person, $5/children ages 7-12, Stereotypes WHERE: Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 free for kids 6 years and younger Pacific Ave., Tacoma WHEN: Tuesdays through Sundays, 10
SUN 9/20 WHAT: Michi Hirata North: Piano Concert WHERE: Meany Hall, University of Washington WHEN: 5 p.m. COST: $35/person, $20/student w/ID TICKETS: www.brownpapertickets.com/ event/1586211
India and Pakistan have seen a 57%, 11%, 39% and 42% growth rate, respectively. While there is growth, the actual number of submissions totaled to just over 1,000 applicants. While there is some improvement in the number of APIs who have DACA, the overall trend of applicants remain disproportionate. Undocumented Chinese immigrants, one of the largest undocumented API ethnic groups in the U.S., and immigrants from Vietnam consistently do not appear on USCIS’ top 25 list of countries of origin that apply for the DACA program. In 2013, applicants from China, who are among the top three countries of birth with potentially eligible DACA recipients, has only had 5% of their total eligible population apply. Comparatively, Korea has had 35% of their eligible population apply. {see DACA cont’d on page 13}
Speed dating draws millennials to local library
SUN 9/20 WHAT: Helping Link’s 22nd Anniversary Gala WHERE: Mercer Island Community Center, 8236 S.E. 24th St., Mercer Island WHEN: 6-8 p.m. COST: $85/person, $125/VIP ticket INFO: www.helpinglink.org
SUN 9/22 - MON 9/23 WHAT: Chongqing acrobatic delegation WHERE: Chief Sealth International High School WHEN: 7-9 p.m.
SAT 9/26 WHAT: Guest speaker Lori Tsugawa Whaley WHERE: Dojo Room, Blding #2, JCCCW 1414 South Weller St. Seattle, WA WHEN: 1 pm- 3:30 pm
By Jocelyn Moore Northwestern Asian Weekly While speed dating may not be at the top of your list of date ideas, it may be a trending way to meet new people soon, at least at your local libraries. The Beacon Hill Branch of Seattle Public Library hosted its first speed dating event on August 29, 2015, drawing a younger crowd to the library. The event was created in the celebration of the recent Chinese Valentine’s Day with millennial-aged singles as the target audience. “It is a great opportunity to meet people,” said library associate Di Zhang. “This allows people to meet each other, make connections, maybe they find a friend. That is what this is all about.” “Each man has 3 minutes to get to know the girl,” Zhang said. “After they get through the speed dating rounds, they can mingle, follow up with each other, or talk to us about the event during the social hours.” Jack Chen, 35, who attended speed dating the first time said he just intended to make friends at the event. Chen felt that people in his generation are either busy working or getting their education, which sometimes leaves very {see DATING cont’d on page 13}